University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR with Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Central Arkansas is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,112 students vs. 8,523 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, AR (Distant Town setting); Northwestern State University of Louisiana is in Natchitoches, LA (Remote Town setting).
• University of Central Arkansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Central Arkansas 15:1; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 16:1.

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Central Arkansas or NSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern State University of Louisiana than University of Central Arkansas ($13,134 vs. $16,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Arkansas are 16.6% lower than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana ($9,110 vs. $10,926).
• University of Central Arkansas is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSU (about $1,659 more per year; $10,523.00 vs. $8,864.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at NSU than at University of Central Arkansas (about $1,629 more per year; $19,652.00 vs. $18,023.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Arkansas than at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (95% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern State University of Louisiana students is 35.9% larger than aid received by University of Central Arkansas students ($12,098 vs. $8,901).

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Central Arkansas or NSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NSU and University of Central Arkansas.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Central Arkansas (1040) is 30 points higher than at NSU (1010).
• Incoming University of Central Arkansas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 910/1170; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 866/1163.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Arkansas 19/25; Northwestern State University of Louisiana 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Central Arkansas - Test optional; NSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman University of Central Arkansas students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at NSU (3.3).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.5%) than University of Central Arkansas (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.6% at University of Central Arkansas vs. 37.4% at NSU.

University of Central Arkansas vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Central Arkansas and NSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Central Arkansas's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Northwestern State University of Louisiana's (37%).
• Graduates from University of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,800 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have a $116 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($21,415 vs. $21,531).
• Among borrowers, University of Central Arkansas graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($221 vs. $222).
• More University of Central Arkansas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.